Before We Get Started
For this tutorial you are going to need:
Model
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1120717
Back Ground
http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1317688
Step 1 Create new channel using Calculations
This tool merges two channels for creating a new one. This is great because we can create a new channel that contrasts the model and the background.
a) Open your image and double click on it in layers palette to make it editable
b) Select the channels palette
c) Select Calculations in the top menu: Image > Calculations
d) This tool merges two channels for creating a new one. We will subtract one color from another. The first channel should be green because is the color we want to subtract, all the hair and background posses a lot of green. We are going to subtract it from the red, because the model's face has a lot of red color.
Depending on the picture you will have to experiment with different settings so you achieve the best results.
Source 1: Channel Green, select invert
Source 2: Channel Red
Blending mode Subtract
Opacity 100%, Offset 100
e) Select Ok to create the new channel. This will appear in the channels palette as Alpha 1
Step 2 Fine-tuning the alpha channel
Unlike the previous tutorial the hair strains aren't perfect white and insolated for achieving this we will use curves.
a) Image > Adjustments > Curves. Set the curves with the classic S shape so the contrast is increased
b) Image > Adjustments > Brightness/contrast. Set the contrast to 80 or 100
Step 3 Creating paths for the face, neck and body
Now as you can see certain areas of the face and part of the neck and body are not perfect white.
We will use the pen tool for this areas
a) Deselect the new alpha 1 channel, select the RGB
b) Create a new path using the pen tool following the face contour and selecting parts of the neck and body.
d) Select path in the palettes and in the options select make selection
e) Enter a feather radius of .5 pixels
f) Return to the alpha channel (select only this channel) and paint this mask with white.
Step 4 fine adjusting
We have some gray areas and it should be perfect white and black
a) Select a hard round brush
b) Paint with white all the inner parts of the model, avoid all the borders of the hair.
c) Now select black color and paint the background, again avoid the hair borders.
b) Set the mode of the brush to overlay, if you select a white color it will only paint in the white parts, not painting the black ones (the brush must be set to overlay)
c) Now select a black color to fine paint the black parts
d) Your channel should look like this:
Step 5 Create the mask
a) Deselect the alpha 1 channel and select the RGB
b) Return to layers
c) Load the selection, in the top menu: Select > Load Selection
d) Select the Alpha Channel 1 and click on invert
e) Now delete the background
Step 6 Fine adjusting the hair
For fine adjusting the hair we should place our model over a different color background so we can appreciate the details. For this example we will use a blue one.
a) Select the blur tool
b) Select a soft round brush
c) Apply the blur tool over the hair edges to soften the hair strains that doesn't looks natural
d) Reveal the alpha mask: Command + Click over the layer thumbnail or Select > Load selection
e) Create a new layer
f) Select a round soft brush and paint with white color in the border areas to give some light to the hair.
g) Set the blending mode to soft light
Step 7 Color Adjustments
The Photo Filter command mimics the technique of putting a colored filter in front of the camera lens to adjust the color balance and color temperature of the light transmitted through the lens and exposing the film. The Photo Filter command also let's you choose a color preset to apply a hue adjustment to an image so our model and the background has the same color range.
a) Create an adjustment layer. Click on the small icon in the layers palette (the black and white circle)
b) Select the Photo Filter
c) Select the cooling filter (80)
Perfect, I love calculations.
